Miniature rose plant named `Ruijef`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named Ruijef, characterized by its large dark red flowers; numerous flowers per spray and plant; freely branching plant habit; long shelf-life; and strong rooting habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theminiature rose class, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Ruijef.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop compact pot rose varieties with gardenperformance that can be asexually reproduced by cuttings. The newcultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in 1991 of twounnamed proprietary seedlings. The cultivar Ruijef was discovered andselected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a controlled environment in Hazerswoude, TheNetherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken atHazerswoude, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of thisnew miniature rose plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of Ruijef. These characteristics incombination distinguish the new miniature rose plant as a new anddistinct cultivar:

1. Large dark red flowers.

2. Numerous flowers per spray and per plant.

3. Freely branching plant habit.

4. Long shelf-life.

5. Strong rooting habit.

The new miniature rose plant has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate typical specimens of thevegetative growth and flowers of the new miniature rose plant, showingthe colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type.

The first photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typical plantof the new miniature rose plant grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

The second photograph comprises details of the new miniature rose plant.In this photograph the top of a young shoot 1); a leaf with threeleaflets (2); a leaf with five leaflets (3); a leaf with seven leaflets(4); a stem with prickles (5); a flower bud after sepals open (6); aflower bud after petals begin to unfurl (7); a flower one-third toone-half open (8); a flower fully open (9); a flower stem with sepals,stamens and pistils (10); a flower stem with sepals and pistils (11); aflower stem with pistils only (12); and a spray of seven flower buds(13) are shown. The flower color in both photographs appears lighterthan the actual flower color due to light reflectance.

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, under glasscovering with average day temperatures of 20° C., average nighttemperatures of 16 to 18° C., and an average light level of 2,000 J/cm².

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classifications:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida cultivar Ruijef.

Commercial.--Miniature pot rose.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

female or seed parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Plant Description:

Form.--Rounded form, uniform, and spreading.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous, yet compact. Freely branching, densegrowth. Suitable for 10-cm containers. Time to produce a finished plantin a 10-cm container 20 to 30 cm in height is generally 10 to 12 weeksdepending on average temperature, light level, and cultural practices.

Stem and lateral branches.--Quantity of lateral branches from pinching:Generally three. Length of lateral branches: 1 to 5 cm. Color: 146C.

Foliage description.--Leaves arranged alternately, compound with threeto seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat inaspect. Stipules at leaf base. Quantity: Five to eight per lateralbranch. Leaflet size: Length: 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Width: 1 to 2 cm. Shape:Ovate with acute tip and obtuse base. Texture: Smooth and leathery.Margin: Serrate. Petiole length: 2 to 2.5 cm. Color: Young foliage,upper side: 146B with overtones of 59A. Young foliage, under side: 146Dwith overtones of 59A. Mature foliage, upper side: 147A. Mature foliage,under side: 147B. Petiole: 146C. Stipule: 146C. Venation, upper side:147D. Venation, under side: 147D.

Prickles.--Located on petioles and stems. Length: 0.4 to 0.6 cm. Color:141D with 31B at base.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large dark red flowers. Consistently symmetricalrosette flowers that are flat in aspect. Freely and continuouslyflowering. The flowers are borne singly on peduncles and arranged inclusters of five to ten flowers each. There are numerous sprays perplant.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimalflowering during summer and autumn in the Northern hemisphere.

Flower diameter.--3 to 4 cm.

Flower depth (height).--1 to 1.5 cm.

Flower longevity on plant.--20 days.

Fragrance.--None.

Persistent.--Yes.

Flower buds.--Shape: Narrowly ovoid and pointed. Size: Length: 1 to 2cm. Width: 0.5 to 1 cm. Color: 143C.

Petals.--Quantity: At least 35 to 45 per flower. Arrangement: Seven tonine rows of petals with five petals each. Size: Length: 1.5 to 2 cm.Width: 1 to 1.5 cm. Shape: Elliptical with obtuse tip. Texture: Smoothand velvety. Margin: Entire. Color: When opening: 46A. Upper side,mature: 59A. Under side, mature: 59B. Fade; Upper and under sides do notfade, but maintain dark red color.

Petaloids.--Quantity: At least 15 per flower. Arrangement: Three rows ofpetals with five petaloids each. Size: Length: 0.5 to 1 cm. Width: 0.5to 1 cm. Shape: Elliptical with obtuse tip. Texture: Smooth and velvety.Margin: Entire. Color: Immature: 53B with 19C at base and margins.Mature: 53A with 10D at base and margins.

Sepals.--Quantity: Five per flower Arrangement: One row with fivesepals. Shape: Ovate with acute tip. Color: Upper side: 143D and 143A.Under side; 143C.

Calyx.--Inconspicuous.

Peduncles.--Strong and erect, pubescent.

Peduncles.--Strong and erect, pubescent. Length: 4 to 5 cm Color: 144A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: 20 to 40 per flower. Anthersize: 0.1 to 0.2 cm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: 24B. Pistils:Quantity: 20 to 40 per flower. Style length: 0.5 cm. Stigma color: 2 C.

Disease resistance: No resistance or susceptibility observed.

Seed Production: Seed production is rarely observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct miniature rose plant named Ruijef,as illustrated and described.